TractionKiting.co.uk

Having spent an age sorting out the lines on my new kite last night, I spent a long time making sure I wrapped the lines correctly on the handles...this is what I did:

1. Held both handles horizontally in my left hand.

2. Using my right hand, I took hold of all 4 lines (which were lying on the floor untangled and straight etc) and began wrapping them around the handles from right to left.

3. Placed the kite and handles in the bag correctly.

This eveing after work, I went to a large area of parkland hoping to fly my kite for the first time. I placed my bag down on the ground, opened it and removed the handles. I began to slowly walk backwards and all four lines came out as one thicker line (as all four lines had been wrapped together when I packed it away last night - if that makes sense).

When I got to the end of the handles I placed the handles down on the ground and walked to the top of the kite wanting to separate both sets of two lines (for each side). Very quickly it became apparent that the lines seemed to be kinked and started to knot. I thought they would just unravel as easily as I had packed them away.

Spoke to James tonight (cheers for advice mate) who advised me to make sure I unwind the lines the same way I wound them on. Having spent an hour with my dad tonight getting the knots out, I again tried to wrap the lines around the handles (in the same way as before).

I wound half of the line on the handles and decided to walk back doing the exact opposite to check it would unravel again...it did the exact same as earlier - the lines unravel as one and when I try to separate them I had the same problems as before. What the hell am I doing wrong?

I've now removed the handles and wrapped the two sets of lines on two separate pieces of cardboard which unravel no problem at all (I checked). I'll have to connect the handles each time I want to fly the kite this week until I meet up with James or get some info on here.

Can't be this hard surely!

Save yourself a lot of time and parapack the lines, there is nothing dificult using this method.
http://www.racekites.com/howto/howto_11.asp

http://www.tractionkiting.co.uk/4linekite.php

There you go Martin. It even has pictures

Jeeez - that does look messy. I think James said he does this - how easy is it for the lines to get tangled using that method Jim?

I have used the parapacking method since I started and I can honestly say that I have had very few tangles. Just a little tip here, when your lines are crossed over............ turn the handles together not indivually as this will just lead to even more twists :wink:

I'll give it a go tomorrow Jim - thanks.

Thanks Judith but I'm ok with the concept of launching (I think). It's the putting away...

I'll give it a go tomorrow Jim - thanks.

Thanks Judith but I'm ok with the concept of launching (I think). It's the putting away...


Read the whole thing............

I'll give it a go tomorrow Jim - thanks.

Thanks Judith but I'm ok with the concept of launching (I think). It's the putting away...


Read the whole thing............


Just a head's up incase the link you gave is the wrong one Judith, but when I click on that page the last line in the instructions is:

Most of the power can be found directly in front of you, by moving the kite around this area you can produce enough power to pull you in a buggy, landboard or just the soles of your feet!


Doesnt say much about packing up..... Unless thers a page two link that I've missed too....

Take the handles out of the bag and turn so your back is against the wind. Take the bottom of the handles in your left or right hand and unwind while walking backwards, making sure not to trip on any obstacles.

If you unwind with your right hand on the bottom, make sure you wind the lines back up the same way, with your right hand at the bottom, this reduces the risk of a tangle the next time you go to launch your kite.



Which bit of this cant you see????????????

Hi Martin,

Looking at your message, I'm thinking it could be one of two things.....

1 :

You may have unwound your lines from the winder supplied with your kite, then
attached them straight onto your kite and handles with out unwinding some of the
twists in the lines first.. They may not look apparent to you but there could be
twists there. They would become more apparent after you wind up you lines then
unwind them the next time. If this is the case then try removing the lines from the
kite, pin down your handles, then take each line individually and start walking back
running the line through your fingers making sure the lines aren't twisted. Then
reattach the lines to your kite.

2 :

If you are satisfied that you have wound the lines on to the handles correctly and
then wound them off again when unpacking.. The lines may not actually be that
twisted even though they look it... (as you said they looked like one thicker line)

Peg down the handles, go back to the kite, stand behind it. Grab the top edge of
the kite about a meter apart and bounce the kite up and down. (providing the kite is
inflated slightly).. If you do this enough any twists should go down to the handles.
You may find you only then need to twist the handles a couple of times.
I find this helps..

Bill